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Council Bluffs board approves STEM Innovation High School charter application

Council Bluffs Community School District Board of Education · October 29, 2025
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Summary

The Council Bluffs Community School District board unanimously approved a charter application to open the STEM Innovation High School, a tuition‑free, board‑sponsored high school focused on project‑based STEM pathways. Next steps include a state interview and a Nov. 24 public forum.

The Council Bluffs Community School District board voted unanimously at its meeting to approve a charter application to create the STEM Innovation High School, a tuition‑free, board‑sponsored charter focused on hands‑on, project‑based learning in STEM fields.

District presenters said the school would offer specialized labs (innovation, tech and biomedical), industry‑recognized credentials and college credit aligned to three pathways: engineering, biomedical science and technology. "The STEM Innovation High School will be a public tuition free school board sponsored charter school designed to transform traditional education into a hands on project based college and career connected experience," said Ms. Comine, who presented the proposal on behalf of the district.

Doctor Matthews, who described differences between traditional and charter schools, told the board that the charter will remain a public school but will operate under a charter agreement that allows flexibility in curriculum and schedule. "We really need that flexibility in curriculum design, instructional model, and schedule," Matthews said, adding that the district would still be required to meet state standards while pursuing waiver opportunities available to charter operators.

The application includes a staffing and planning timeline the presenters described as beginning with an administrator posting in January 2027 and teacher postings to follow in January 2027. The district said it would submit the application prior to Nov. 3; if accepted for further review it will attend a Department of Education interview on Nov. 24 and hold a public forum that same evening at the Annie Nelson Early Learning Center at 5:30 p.m.

Board members asked about outreach and communications; the administration said communications staff have prepared flyers and will invite staff, parents and interested families — including those in neighboring districts — to the November public forum. The board approved the application by roll call; members recorded affirmative votes during the formal roll call.